Download Southwestern Region - 21st Century Kids Home

United States Regions
Southwestern
Region
L.L. Owens
United States Regions
Southwestern
Region
L.L. Owens
rourkeeducationalmedia.com
Scan for Related Titles
and Teacher Resources
Level: Q
Word Count: 899 Words
Before & After
Reading Activities 100th word: the page 5
Before Reading:
Building Academic Vocabulary and
Background Knowledge
Content Area
Vocabulary
Before reading a book, it is important to tap into what
your child or students already know about the topic. This
will help them develop their vocabulary, increase their
reading comprehension, and make connections across the
curriculum.
Read the list. What do these
words mean?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
arts
Look at the cover of the book. What will this book
be about?
What do you already know about the topic?
Let’s study the Table of Contents. What will you learn about
in the book’s chapters?
What would you like to learn about this topic? Do you think
you might learn about it from this book? Why or why not?
Use a reading journal to write about your knowledge of this
topic. Record what you already know about the topic and
what you hope to learn about the topic.
Read the book.
In your reading journal, record what you learned about the
topic and your response to the book.
After reading the book complete the activities below.
adobe
agriculture
climate
culture
desert
geography
industry
irrigation
region
settlers
tourism
After Reading:
Comprehension and Extension Activity
After reading the book, work on the following questions with your child or students in order to check
their level of reading comprehension and content mastery.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How did the Pueblo tribe shape the Southwestern Region of the United States? (Summarize)
Describe the process of irrigation. (Summarize)
Would you like to live in the desert region? Why or why not? (Text to self connection)
How does adobe make living in the desert bearable? (Summarize)
Why did early Pueblo homes have doors on the second floor? (Asking questions)
Extension Activity
You make your own dam! You will need a plastic container, sand, water, rocks, and other materials
such as sticks, wooden craft sticks, or tongue depressors. Pour a deep layer of sand in the large
plastic container and carve out your river. Then build a dam in the middle of your river. Your dam
needs to be strong and allow some water to flow through slowly. Once you’ve constructed your dam,
pour water in your river. How did your design do? What changes could you make to construct a
stronger dam? What were some obstacles?
Table of Contents
Introducing the Southwest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
A Brief History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Big Industry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Regional Culture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
State Facts Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Show What You Know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Websites to Visit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
About the Author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Introducing the
Southwest
Certain images probably come to mind when you
think of a specific United States area, or region. For the
Southwest, you might think of:
• Hot, dry weather.
• A desert landscape dotted with cacti.
• Mountains and canyons.
• Foods like tamales and salsa.
• Arts and crafts like pottery
and baskets.
• Animals like coyotes
and rattlesnakes.
4
Geography is one of the oldest
sciences. It’s the study of
Earth’s physical features: land,
air, water, and life forms.
That you get a mental picture of these things makes
sense. All parts of a region must fit together somehow.
When you study a region’s geography, its special features
tell a story. They offer clues about why people came to live
there. You can see how the geography helped shape their
way of life.
5
As the name suggests, the Southwest Region is found
in the southwestern part of the country. North of the
Southwest is the Mountain Region. To the south is Mexico.
The southwestern landscape includes everything from
majestic mountains to lush forests to wide-open deserts.
The Four Corners Monument marks
the only spot in the nation where
four states meet. This point is
shared by Arizona, New Mexico,
Colorado, and Utah.
6
Washington
Montana
Oregon
Idaho
New Hampshire
Vermont
North Dakota
Minnesota
South Dakota
Wisconsin
Michigan
Wyoming
Nebraska
Nevada
Utah
Pennsylvania
Colorado
Kansas
Arizona
Iowa
Illinois
California
New Mexico
Missouri
Oklahoma Arkansas
Ohio
Indiana
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Texas
New
York
Mississippi
West
Virginia
Virginia
Maine
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New Jersey
Delaware
Maryland
Washington D.C.
North
Carolina
South
Carolina
Georgia
Louisiana
Florida
This U.S. map outlines the Southwest Region. Arizona
and New Mexico make up a large portion of it. Other states
with sections in the region are Texas, California, Nevada,
Utah, and Colorado.
7
A Brief History
The Pueblo people were the first people to live in the
Southwest. They were skilled farmers. They dug canals to
help bring water to their crops. They grew corn, squash,
and beans. They also grew cotton, peppers, and wheat.
And they raised sheep and goats. Sometimes they hunted
turkeys and rabbits.
The climate was very hot. The men farmed in the early
morning or late in the day. During the hottest hours, they
would stay busy indoors weaving clothes and blankets.
The Spanish word for town is pueblo. In the
Southwest, a pueblo is a community of Native
Americans. Today, the term Pueblo Indians refers
to all Southwestern Native American tribes.
Navajo Churro Sheep
8
The Pueblo people
celebrated the harvest with
drum circles and dances.
Women also worked hard from sunrise to sunset. They
raised children and kept the family home. They prepared all
the food, spending part of every day grinding corn into flour.
9
Pueblo homes had flat roofs made of adobe, stone, and
wood. The clay used in adobe helped keep the inside cool
during hot days. On cold nights it released the heat it had
absorbed. Southwestern pottery is made from similar clay.
Pueblo Home
Southwestern Pottery
10
Some early Pueblo homes were built on the sides of
cliffs. Outside doors would be on the second floor,
or higher. People entered using ladders hung from
doorways. If they spotted enemies, they would pull
up their ladders so attackers couldn’t get in.
11
Spanish explorers came to the Southwest in the 1500s.
They brought horses and new crops. They weren’t there
to help the native peoples. Their mission was to claim the
land for themselves.
By the 1800s, Mexico had taken over much of the
Southwest. American settlers felt the land belonged to
them. Eventually, the two countries fought for ownership.
When the Mexican-American War (1846–1848) ended,
Mexico signed over the land to the United States.
The Fall of the Alamo, 1836
Stingray
When the dust cleared, Mexico had lost about one-third of its territory,
including nearly all of present-day California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona,
and New Mexico.
12
The Southwest would grow to become a vital and unique
part of the United States.
Major Cities in the Modern Southwest
Photo
City
Population
Phoenix, Arizona
1.4 million
El Paso, Texas
649,000
Las Vegas, Nevada
584,000
Albuquerque,
New Mexico
546,000
Tucson, Arizona
520,000
13
Big Industry
You can tell a lot about a region’s unique features by
the businesses, or industries, that succeed in it. Industry
refers to a place’s business activity as a whole. Important
Southwest industries are agriculture and tourism.
Agriculture is big business in the Southwest. Ranchers
raising cattle and sheep use much of the land. Farmers
grow a variety of crops. The main ones are cotton, alfalfa,
citrus, grains, hay, and sorghum. Other crops found in the
region include onions, pecans, and potatoes.
Cotton Farm
14
Copper Mine
Arizona has led copper production in the U.S. since
1910 and still enjoys that distinction, producing
approximately 64 percent of domestic copper.
15
Most of the available fresh water is used for crops.
Because the weather is so dry, extra water must be
brought into the Southwest. The Colorado River and the
Rio Grande are good sources. The Hoover Dam also
stores water used for irrigation.
The Hoover Dam is on the Colorado River between
Nevada and Arizona. Its functions are controlling flooding,
generating electricity, and storing water for industrial use.
16
The Hoover Dam
Originally named the Boulder Dam, construction finished
in 1936. The task took six years. It employed 21,000
workers and used 5 million barrels of concrete. The dam
was renamed in 1947 for Herbert Hoover, America’s 31st
president. He was one of the project’s biggest supporters.
17
The Southwest has a strong tourism industry. The dry,
sunny climate attracts vacationers and retirees. The area
boasts a seemingly endless supply of beautiful sights and
fun activities.
People from all over the world visit Arizona to see the
Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is the Southwest’s most
popular attraction. It’s one of the Seven Natural Wonders of
the World. Around 5 million tourists visit the Grand Canyon
each year.
The city of Tombstone offers a glimpse of what life was
like in the Old West. Popular tourist spots in New Mexico
include Carlsbad Caverns and the International UFO
Museum at Roswell.
More to See and Do
•Southeast California:
The Glamis Sand Dunes
•Southern Utah: Navajo
Mountain hiking trails
•Las Vegas, Nevada:
Family-friendly shows
and outdoor activities
18
Tombstone, Arizona
This vast canyon formed over time. The Colorado
River’s rushing waters actually carved it into
the surrounding rock! Scientists think the
canyon is about 5 to 6 million years old.
Nearly five million people travel here each year; 90 percent first see
the canyon from the South Rim with its dramatic views into the deep
inner gorge of the Colorado River.
19
Regional Culture
Modern Southwest culture reflects the region’s history.
Language
For centuries, only Pueblo languages were spoken in the
region. Spanish was introduced even before English. Much
of the region was once part of Mexico, and many Spanish
speakers live in today’s Southwest.
Place names can illustrate the influence of other
languages. The city name El Paso means, “the
passageway” in Spanish. And Tucson, Arizona, got its
name from a Pueblo word meaning, “village of the dark
spring at the foot of the mountains.”
spanish-english
Hola - Hello
Gracias - Thanks
Por Favor - Please
De nada - You’re welcome
20
Architecture
Southwestern architecture is simple in style, and makes
use of regional materials. Structures are built to stand up
to the unique climate. There are many light-colored stucco
homes with tiled floors that help keep things cool.
21
These beautiful blankets, or mantas, are similar to the ones
made and worn by the Pueblos.
The Arts
The early settlers’ influence is evident in a variety of
regional arts. Pottery, music, dance, jewelry, sculpture,
and hand-woven fabrics all display an unmistakable
Southwestern flare.
22
Food
Traditional Southwest cooking involves methods and
ingredients easily traced to the many cultures that formed
the region. A Mexican influence is seen in the use of corn,
beans, chiles, and chocolate. The Spanish introduced
meats like lamb, pork, and beef. Other settlers brought in
wheat, tomatoes, melons, and peaches.
One way to add a Southwestern touch to your food
is to roast your vegetables. Roasting a chile
over an open flame creates a sweet, smoky flavor.
23
This snack layers several Southwestern flavors. The dip
is easy to make, easy to pair with other foods, and easy
to eat! Wherever you live, you can enjoy the flavor of the
American Southwest.
ip
nD
Zippy Southwester
Ingredients:
1½ cups sour cream
½ cup mayonnaise
min
1 teaspoon ground cu
der
½ teaspoon chili pow
lt
¼ teaspoon garlic sa
wder
¼ teaspoon onion po
¼ teaspoon paprika
dar cheese
¾ cup shredded ched
een chiles, drained
gr
d
pe
op
ch
n
ca
ll
a
1 sm
Directions:
ur cream through
so
om
fr
s
nt
ie
ed
gr
in
all
In a medium bowl, mix
iles. Cover and
ch
nd
a
se
ee
ch
e
th
paprika. Next, stir in
with tortilla chips.
ve
er
S
s.
ur
ho
4
to
refrigerate for up
24
25
State Facts Sheet
Arizona
Motto: God Enriches.
Nickname: The Grand Canyon State;
The Copper State
Capital: Phoenix
Known for: Desert Landscape,
Saguaro Cactus, the Grand Canyon
Fun Fact: The bolo tie is the official
state neckware.
New Mexico
Motto: It Grows as it Goes.
Nickname: The Land of Enchantment
Capital: Santa Fe
Known for: Beautiful Scenery, Unique
Cuisine, Uranium, Roswell
Fun Fact: The state’s longest river, the
Rio Grande, runs the entire length of
New Mexico.
26
Texas
Motto: Friendship.
Nickname: The Lone Star State
Capital: Austin
Known for: Longhorn Cattle,
the Alamo, Cowboys, Oil, Barbeque
Fun Fact: Texas was an independent
nation from 1836 to 1845.
California
Motto: Eureka, I Have Found It.
Nickname: The Golden State
Capital: Sacramento
Known for: Hollywood, Beaches, Wine
Country, Golden Gate Bridge
Fun Fact: In California, Death Valley is
the hottest, driest place in the U.S. It
reaches 115° Fahrenheit (46° Celsius)
in summer.
27
Nevada
Motto: All For Our Country.
Nickname: The Silver State
Capital: Carson City
Known for: Desert, Mountains, Mining,
Gold, Las Vegas, Gambling
Fun Fact: Nevada is the largest
gold-producing state in the nation.
Utah
Motto: Industry.
Nickname: The Beehive State
Capital: Salt Lake City
Known for: Rock Formations,
the Great Salt Lake, Skiing
Fun Fact: Utah is named for the
Ute tribe, which means “people of
the mountains.”
28
Colorado
Motto: Nothing Without Providence.
Nickname: The Centennial State
Capital: Denver
Known for: Skiing, Rocky Mountains,
Pike’s Peak, Forests, Mining
Fun Fact: The world’s largest flattop
mountain is in Grand Mesa.
Washington
Montana
Oregon
Idaho
New Hampshire
Vermont
North Dakota
Minnesota
South Dakota
Wisconsin
Michigan
Wyoming
Nebraska
Nevada
Utah
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Kansas
Arizona
Iowa
Colorado
California
New Mexico
Missouri
Oklahoma Arkansas
Ohio
Indiana
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Texas
New
York
Mississippi
West
Virginia
Virginia
Maine
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New Jersey
Delaware
Maryland
Washington D.C.
North
Carolina
South
Carolina
Georgia
Louisiana
Florida
29
Glossary
adobe (uh-DOH-bee): bricks made of clay and straw dried in the sun
agriculture (ARG-ri-kuhl-chur): the raising of crops and animals
arts (ahrts): making and sharing works of art
climate (KLYE-mit): the everyday weather of a place
culture (KUHL-chur): the way of life for a group of people
desert (DES-urt): dry land with little rainfall and few plants
geography (jee-AH-gruh-fee): the physical features of a place
industry (IN-duh-stree): businesses found in a community
irrigation (ir-uh-GAY-shuhn): system for supplying water to crops
region (REE-juhn): a specific geographic area
settlers (SET-lurz): people who create homes in a new place
tourism (toor-izm): visiting a place for pleasure
30
Index
Arizona 6, 7, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20
California 7, 18
Colorado 6, 7, 16
Colorado River 16, 19
Four Corners Monument 6
Grand Canyon 18, 19
Hoover Dam 16, 17
Hoover, Herbert 17
Mexican-American War 12
Nevada 7, 13, 16, 18
New Mexico 6, 7, 13, 18
Rio Grande 16
Texas 7, 13
Utah 6, 7, 18
Show What You Know
1. Which area of scientific study explores Earth’s physical features?
2. Who were the first inhabitants of the Southwest?
3. When did the Mexican-American War end?
4. Why was the Hoover Dam built?
5. How was the Spanish language introduced to the
Southwestern Region?
Websites to Visit
www.nps.gov/grca/forkids/fact-sheets.htm
www.ducksters.com/history/native_americans/pueblo_tribe.php
www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/556966/Southwest
31
Author
Originally from the Midwest, L.L. Owens now
lives in the Pacific Northwest. She has written
more than 80 books for children and loves
working with both nonfiction and fiction. Learn
more about her at www.llowens.com.
Meet The Author!
www.meetREMauthors.com
© 2015 Rourke Educational Media
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical
including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the
publisher.
www.rourkeeducationalmedia.com
PHOTO CREDITS: Cover: ©CarbonBrain (top left), ©Missing35mm (top middle), ©Loneburro (top right), ©Sara Winter
(bottom left), ©Marcus Lindström (bottom right); title page: ©John Wollwerth; page 3: ©Elena Ray; page 4: ©Eric Isselee (left),
©SuziMcGregor (middle), ©Samuel Borges Photography (right); page 5: ©fotostorm; page6: ©spiritofamerica (top), ©Legacy
Imges (bottom); page 7: ©Ifreytag; page 8: ©MonaMakela; page 9: Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration;
page 10: ©Vladislav Gajic (top), ©jamirae (bottom); page 11: ©kingjon; page 12: Texas State Library & Archives Commision;
page 13: ©Marcus Lindström, ©Frontpage, ©littleny, ©gary yim, ©Todd Taulman (top to bottom); page14: ©Jim David; page
15: ©Tim Roberts Photography; page16-17: ©Matejh Photography; page 18: ©powerofforever; page 19: ©Sumikophoto;
page 21: ©photoBeard; page22: ©Slattery & Crist Photography; page 23: ©akaplummer; page 25: ©Lisa Young; Pg 28, 29
© Turovsky
Edited by: Jill Sherman
Cover design by: Jen Thomas
Interior design by: Rhea Magaro
Library of Congress PCN Data
Southwestern Region / L.L. Owens
(United States Regions)
ISBN 978-1-62717-668-2 (hard cover)
ISBN 978-1-62717-790-0 (soft cover)
ISBN 978-1-62717-907-2 (e-Book)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014934376
Printed in the United States of America, North Mankato, Minnesota
32
Also Available as:
United States Regions
The Southwestern Region is the only area in the United States where you can stand in
Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah at the same time! This desert region is hot. With
a hot climate, water is scare. The Hoover Dam is a very important source for this area. Many
people live in this hot, desert region and the culture has influence from early Spanish settlers
and Native American tribes. You will find beautiful pottery, hand-woven fabrics, and beautiful,
ornate stucco homes with tile floors. Be sure to grab some sunscreen while you travel through
this desert region of the United States. This book will allow students to use information gained
from illustrations and words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text.
Books In This Series:
Appalachian
Region
Great Plains
Region
Gulf Coast Region
Midwest and Great
Lakes Regions
Mountain Region
Northeast and
Metropolitan
Regions
Southern Atlantic
Coast Region
Southern Region
Southwestern
Region
West Coast
Region
rourkeeducationalmedia.com